Tribology time-scale

This work describes a new probe of dynamic processes accompanying the tribological loading of metal/polymer interfaces. We instrument the polymer substrate and a conducting stylus to measure the transient electrical currents generated as the stylus is moved across the substrate under normal load. Simultaneous measurements of the lateral and normal forces on the stylus are also performed. Both sets of measurements are readily made on ms to is time scales. To date, we have measured currents accompanying the abrasion of several insulators. 

Time-scale criterion. In most tribological tests, friction is measured continuously, while, on the other hand, surface composition and topography are determined only at the completion of the friction test. Moreover the surface phenomena cannot only vary continuously during the friction experiment, but can also be altered by air exposure between the end of the tribological... 

Surface texture and roughness play central roles in the theory of tribology, and we will explore them in the surface characterization section. One of the interesting elements that emerge is that the notion of roughness is interwoven with the perspective of scale (both in regard to physical dimensions and time). So it will be of use to review the scales that are encountered in CMP technology.34... 

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